– to ease access to education for hinterland, island pupils
PARAKEESE Village in Region One is set to benefit from a new state-of-the-art primary school designed to accommodate approximately 200 pupils from the mainland and surrounding island communities, in a major education infrastructural push aimed at reducing travel burdens and improving access to learning.
The project follows a recent site visit by officials from the Ministry of Education (Guyana) and its private sector partner, Environmental Management Consultancy Inc., as planning and stakeholder consultations advance.
Funded through the Inter-American Development Bank, the initiative is one of six new school projects intended to expand equitable access to quality education across remote and underserved communities.
Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly reduce the daily hardship currently faced by learners who must travel long distances by road or boat to attend Kamwatta Primary School. Education officials say the new school will bring learning directly into the community, removing geography as a barrier to attendance and achievement.
During consultations with residents, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development (AHED), Marti De Souza, was joined by Project Coordinator, Patrick John and representatives from EMC to review design plans and gather community input.
Officials said the development forms part of a broader national effort to decentralise educational services and strengthen infrastructure in hinterland and riverine regions. The approach, they noted, is intended to ensure that students in remote areas have access to the same quality of learning environments as those in urban centres.
The Ministry of Education reiterated that the project reflects its ongoing commitment to responsiveness and inclusivity in education planning, noting that community concerns are being directly incorporated into implementation strategies.
De Souza, addressing residents during the engagement, underscored the importance of dialogue in shaping education delivery, stating that the Ministry remains committed to listening and responding to the needs of parents, teachers, and learners in all regions.
The Parakeese Village school is expected to form part of a wider infrastructural expansion programme aimed at improving access, reducing dropout rates linked to distance, and ensuring that every child has a fair opportunity to learn regardless of location.
